For The Cause Of Christ
Tuesday, November 19
2 Timothy 1:9-12 (NIV)
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”
Devotion
We who are Christians are called to be men and women of influence. God saved us and called us with a Holy calling unto His purpose for the cause of Jesus Christ.
In the scripture above, we are reminded that Paul was so determined to stay committed to Christ that he willingly suffered for his cause. He said in verse 12, “I am suffering, because I know in whom I believe and am convinced that he is able to guard all that I have entrusted to him.” Paul’s service to the Lord was not just surface level, he was willing, and indeed did, lay down his life for the cause of Christ.
Like Paul, we too have been called to serve the Kingdom of Heaven. God told Jeremiah in chapter 1, verse 5 of the book that bears his name, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart as a prophet to the nations.” Just as God called and set both Paul and Jeremiah apart for His work, He has called you to fulfill the cause of taking the good news of the gospel into your spheres of influence. We are not called to sit idly by as the world goes deeper into sin, dies, and goes to hell for eternity.
As Charles Spurgeon once said, "If sinners are damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay and not madly to destroy themselves. If hell must be filled at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."
Just prior to suffering and giving his life for you, Jesus stated in John 18, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world; to bear witness to the truth.” May we follow the example he set before us and fulfill our calling to bear witness to his truth.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Just as You called the many servants we read about in the Bible I know that You have also called me to serve for the cause of Christ. I ask that You mold my heart and make it tender so that my heart may break for the lost souls of those around me and cause me to be Your witness. Please give me Your wisdom so that I may lead them to You that they may escape hell’s torment. I never want to be the reason someone is suffering an eternity of punishment because I did not witness for the cause of Christ. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Awaken your spiritual gifts as you read and follow these words as found in 1 Peter 4:10-11 (AMP), “Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.”
Resources:
- Watch this short clip from the message, “The Simplicity Of Christ”, and be uplifted by the simplicity yet powerful message of the cross.
- Sign up for one of our Serve Teams today and begin to walk in your God ordained calling.